The team behind a Waterloo-based startup that helps refugees once they’ve settled in Canada has won the Hult Prize regional competition in London, England.
Epoch team: Lisa Tran, Keith Choy, Jade Choy and Ryan Schmied
Accounting and financial management student Jade Choy and master’s of accounting alumnus Keith Choy created the online platform Epoch with science and business student Lisa Tran and computer engineering student Ryan Schmied.
The team will now head to the Hult Prize Accelerator in Boston to further develop their venture. After that, they’re sent to Washington, D.C., where Epoch will compete against four other groups for a $1 million grand prize.
Epoch helps refugees integrate into Canada by trading their skills for other services. Instead of using money, Epoch uses time credits; for every hour a refugee helps someone, they bank an hour that can be used for services they may need in the future. The idea was developed after Jade Choy visited Europe last year and saw the refugee crisis up close.
Adapted from an article published on the university’s homepage. Read the full story.